Essence of the Active Word

Essence of the Active Word: A Course for Priests of the Christian Community

A course of 4 lectures for Priests of the Christian Community, with questions and answers. Held in Stuttgart, Germany on July 11-14, 1923

These lectures and documentary additions, encompass Part IV of Steiner’s works entitled, Lectures and Courses on Christian-religious Work. Also included are several of Rudolf Steiner’s original manuscripts in his own handwriting, a speech given by Steiner at the cremation of Hermann Linde, and a special note from GA# 342. This lecture series is the entirety of GA# 345. The title, in German, is: Vom Wesen des winkenden Wortes.

The speech given by Rudolf Steiner at the cremation of Hermann Linde, and the special note from GA# 342, along with the Notes and Register of Names, were all painstakingly translated by James D. Stewart.

Cover painting “Twin Souls” by Hanna von Maltitz. Thanks to the Basil Gibaud Memorial Trust for their support in the creation of this translation. Rudolf Steiner Portrait on Back Cover by Peter Gospodinov.

About the Author

Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he grew up. As a young man, he lived in Weimar and Berlin, where he became a well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, known especially for his work with Goethe’s scientific writings. At the beginning of the twentieth century, he began to develop his early philosophical principles into an approach to systematic research into psychological and spiritual phenomena. Formally beginning his spiritual teaching career under the auspices of the Theosophical Society, Steiner came to use the term Anthroposophy (and spiritual science) for his philosophy, spiritual research, and findings. The influence of Steiner’s multifaceted genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in medicine, various therapies, philosophy, religious renewal, Waldorf education, education for special needs, threefold economics, biodynamic agriculture, Goethean science, architecture, and the arts of drama, speech, and eurythmy. In 1924, Rudolf Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches throughout the world. He died in Dornach, Switzerland.